Miniature circuit controllers



Nov. 26, 1957 J. w. sHERRlcK MINIATURE CIRCUIT CONTROLLERS Filed May 19, 1954 C M .Bw Nw m 0mm M Y me .p 7 WMM W .j W M. S m d? NN .as mm b.. N .K E NT4. @www mm Nw x \h la 9|||92 ,0 l C\ .TE IIT 0 i K Y NM. Qv Sw wwNwwmK/w/N @Qkwwwm f v.Pil El NM mv vw United States Patent @dice 2,814,680 Patented Nov. Z6, 1957 2,314,680 MINIATURE CIRCUIT CONTRGLLERS `lames W. Sherrick, Greensburg, house Air Brake Company, ration of Pennsylvania Pa., assignor to Westing- Wilmerding, Pa., a corpo- My invention relates to circuit controllers, and particularly to circuit controllers for assembly on a control panel as one of a compact group of similar units, each unit being provided with a plurality of contacts.

In the circuit contro-11ers previously used having a plurality of contacts, a considerable amount of space was necessary to accommodate each controller on the control panel. However, in todays complex remote control system, it has been found increasingly important to locate a large number of circuit controllers, controlling a large number of circuits, within a small space.

It is therefore an object of my invention to provide a novel circuit controller of the type described which is capable of installation within a small space.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel circuit controller which is small in size, and is capable of easy assembly and disassembly.

Other objects, purposes, and characteristic features of my present invention will be in part obvious from the accompanying drawing, and in part pointed out as the description of the invention progresses.

In practicing my invention, I provide a circuit controller which is cylindrical in shape and is capable of being mounted in close proximity to other circuit controllers of similar design. By making each circuit controller of cylindrical shape, the controller contacts can be mounted in spaced relationship around the periphery of the cylindrical area, thereby allowing a large number of contacts to be placed within a small space. The cooperating peripheral contacts are actuated through a simple pushspring return control lever.

In describing my invention in detail, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding parts are generally identified by corresponding reference characters and in which:

Fig. 1 is a partly sectioned, plan view of one form of miniature circuit controller embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section of a circuit controller similar to Fig. l provided with a modified form of contact actuator.

Fig. 3 is a section of a circuit controller similar to Fig. l provided with another form of contact actuator.

Fig. 4 is a View taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the contact and contact actuator positions.

Fig. 5 is a view taken along the line V-V of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the actuator rod arrangement in the controller body.

Fig. 6 is a View taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. l, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a support terminal block 5 with the contact springs located therein.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view taken substantially along the line VII-VII of Fig. l, showing the disposition of a contact spring 7 in the support block 5.

Referring to the drawing, the circuit controller in the form shown in Fig. l is arranged to make three common circuits upon depression of an actuating button 2t). This controller consists of a main body 1 provided with a shoulder 2 and a reduced rear end portion 3. Pressed on over the reduced rear end portion 3 and up against the shoulder 2 is a slotted cylindrical body sleeve member 4. Secured within the rearmost end of the slotted cylindrical body sleeve 4 is a contact support block 5 of suitable insulating material. lindrical in shape and is provided with longitudinal slots 6 around its periphery. The longitudinal slots are located every 60 around the periphery making a total of six peripheral slots. Contact spring members 7 are inserted into the slots 6 and offset at the front and rear surfaces of the support block 5. Each of the contact spring members 7 extend forwardly up within the slotted portion of the body sleeve 4 and also rearwardly beyond the block 5. The rearwardly extension of each of the contact spring members 7 provides a terminal strip for wire attachment. The contact spring members 7 are each provided with a contact point 8 on the end within the slotted body sleeve 4 and are each provided with an opening 37 on the end extending to the rear of the support block 5. Encircling the block 5, around the periphery, for holding tie contact spring members 7 within each of their peripheral slots 6 is an insulating band 9. The insulating support block 5 is also provided with retaining springs lt) and l1 for preventing the block from sliding longitudinally within the body sleeve member 4. The retaining spring 11 further prevents relative rotation of the insulating support block 5 within the sleeve 4 by locking into the recess 42 in the end of the sleeve 4.

Located forward of the contact spring members 7 and contact points 2B are a plurality of operating lingers 12 mounted with an integral finger support block 13. The finger support block 13 is in turn secured to the operating rod 14 by an insulating member 16. The insulating member 16 is riveted to the support block 13 by the rivet 15 and to the actuating rod 14 by the rivet 17. It is to be noted at this time that the fingers 12 are of metallic conducting material and form the contacts between the points 8 of the contact spring members 7.

As shown in Fig. 5, the operating rod 14 is square in cross section to prevent rotation of the rod 14 in the body 1. This rod extends forwardly into a recess 18 that extends forwardly toward an actuating button 20. The forward portion of the recess 18 is provided with a shoulder 19 and an enlarged recessed portion 21. EX- tending forwardly from the recessed portion 21 is a threaded portion 22 for receiving the threaded closure cap or seal 23.

Threaded onto the forward end 14 is an extension rod 24 that extends through a guide opening 25 in the closure cap 23. The extension rod 24 is provided with an enlarged rearward end 26 for receiving the threaded end of the operating rod 14.

Located against a split washer 44 that rests against a shoulder 27 formed by the extension rod 24 being threaded onto the operating rod 14, is a washer 28. Between the washer 28 and the bottom of the recess 18 is located a return spring 29. lt should be clear, therefore, than when the extension rod and operating rod are forced inwardly by an operator, the spring 29 is compressed. Upon release of the extension rod by the operator the spring 29 returns the operating rod 14, extension rod 24 and contact ngers 12 to their original positions.

The forward projection 40 of the closure cap 23 is extended forwardly and threaded to receive a securing nut 30. The securing nut 3i) is used to secure the operating controller within an opening 41 provided in a panel board 31. As illustrated in Fig. l, washers 43 may be added as fillers when the panel board is of thin material.

The extension rod 24 extends forwardly beyond the panel board 31 and the securing nut 30 is provided with the actuating button 20. The end of the extension shaft of the operating rod The support block 5 is cyt 3 24 is provided with a attened portion as shown at 32 for indexing the actuating button 20 onto the end of the shaft 24 when it is pressed over the liattened portion 32.

The operation of my circuit controller in the form shown in Fig. l is as follows. When an operator desires to complete any six common electrical circuits (not shown) that may be tied into the six contact springs at the terminals 37, he merely presses the actuator 20 in toward the panel board 31. This moves the extension shaft 24 and contact operator shaft 14 inwardly against the bias of spring 29. The operating rod 14 carries with it the support block 13 and fingers 12 which slide in between the contact spring members 7 making Contact with the Contact points 8. It can be seen, therefore, that the contact fingers 12 and support block 13 tie all contact points S together into a common circuit. When the operator desires to disconnect the common circuit, he merely releases actuator 20, allowing the return spring 29 to return the operating shaft and extension shaft to their normal positions in which the washer 28 seats against the threaded piece 23. It should be pointed out that the washer 28 striking the shoulder 19 limits the inward movement of the actuating rod and extension, and the Contact fingers 12 into their contact closing positions.

The modified circuit controller of Fig. 2 is essentially the same as Fig. l with the exception that the metal contact fingers 12 are secured within an insulating block member 33 in such manner that they are insulated from each other.

Operation of the circuit controller shown in Fig. 2 is similar to Fig. l. However, in this figure the contact fingers are insulated from each other causing electrical contact only between the two adjacent contact spring members 7 and their secured contact points 8. In this way, there are three separate circuits made by the simple depression of the actuating button 20.

The modified circuit controller of Fig. 3 is a controller similar to Fig. l with the exception that the contact fingers 34 and securing block 35 are of insulating material and the contact points 8 of adjacent contact spring members 7 are normally in contact rather than being out of contact as in the previously described modifications. Moreover, the ends of the adjacent spring members 7 are ared outwardly for cooperation with the fingers 34. With the circuit controller constructed as shown in Fig. 3, depression of the contact actuating button 20 causes the insulated contact actuating fingers 12 to pass between adjacent contact spring members 7, forcing them apart and breaking the circuits (not shown) tied into the adjacent contact spring member. In this manner, three circuits may be normally closed and opened when the operator depresses the actuating button 20.

It can be seen that my novel circuit controller provides simultaneous control of a plurality of circuits by a compact and simple controller structure. The controller structure is further capable of easy assembly and disassembly.

Although I have herein shown and described only a few forms of circuit controller embodying my invention, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claimsl without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what i claim is:

l. A miniature circuit controller comprising a body means provided with a plurality lof spring contact members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two cxtreme positions within said body means, said shaft having lingers located between adjacent contact spring members for controlling a circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when the shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said Shaft andsaid body means for biasing said i shaft to the other of its said two extreme positions, said contact spring members being arranged in spaced slots adjacent the periphery of an insulating portion of said body means, said contact spring members being retained in said insulated portion by a band of insulating material.

2. A miniature circuit controller comprising a body means provided with a plurality of spring contact members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions within said body, said shaft having contact fingers located between adjacent Contact Spring members for completing a circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to the other of its said two extreme positions, said body means being provided with an insulating cylindrical support member for `securing said spring contact members in position, said cylindrical support member having radial slots positioned adjacent the periphery of said cylindrical support member, said spring Contact members being secured within said slots by a band of insulating material.

3. A miniature circuit controller comprising a cylindrical body means provided with a plurality of spring contact members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions Within said body, said shaft having contact fingers located between adjacent contact spring members for completing a circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to the other of its said two extreme positions, each of said contact fingers being a part of a single piece of conducting material so that operation of said operating shaft against said spring means will close all of said spring contact members into a common circuit, said spring contact members being supported in an insulated portion of said cylindrical body by an insulating band.

4. A miniature circuit controller comprising a body means provided with a plurality of contact spring members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions within said body, said shaft having contact lingers located between adjacent contact `spring members for completing a circuit between said adjacent spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to the other of its said two extreme positions, said body means being cylindrical in shape with said contact spring members located adjacent the periphery of an insulated portion of said cylindrical body, said contact spring members being retained in said insulated portion by an insulating band, each of said contact fingers 'being a part -of a single piece of conducting materia] so that operation of said operating shaft against said `spring means will close all of said spring contact members into a common circuit.

5. A miniature circuit controller comprising a -cylindrical body means having a plurality of spring contact members supported therein, by a slotted insulating contact support member and an insulated retaining ring, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions within said body, said shaft having contact fingers located between adjacent contact spring members for completing a circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to the other of said two extreme positions, said contact fingers being supported by an insulating blo-ck so that cach finger is electrically independent of each of the other fingers for simultaneously completing several independent pairs of spring contact members.

Y 6. A miniature circuit controller comprising a cylindriasia-,eso

cal body means provided with a plurality of spring con tact members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions within said body, said shaft having contact fingers located between adjacent contact spring members for completing a circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to the other of said two eX- treme positions, said body means having an insulated cylindrical support member for securing said spring contact members in position, said cylindrical support member having radial slots positioned adjacent the periphery of said cylindrical support member, said spring contact members being secured within said slots by an insulated retaining band for electrical cooperation with said contact fingers, said contact fingers being supported by an insulating block so that each iinger is electrically independent of each of the other lingers for simultaneously completing the circuit between several independent pairs of spring contact members.

7. A miniature circuit controller comprising a cylindrical body means having a plurality ot spring contact members mounted therein by a slotted cylindrical insulated support member and an insulated retaining ring, said spring Contact members being mounted in pairs with adjacent contacts normally biased together, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between first and second eX- treme positions within said body, said shaft having insulated contact fingers located between said pairs of contact spring members for separating said normally biased together contacts when said shaft is in said second extreme position, and spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to said rst extreme position.

8. A miniature circuit controller comprising a body means having a plurality of spring contact members mounted therein, said spring contact members being mounted in pairs with adjacent contacts normally biased together, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between first and second eXtreme positions within said body, said shaft being provided with insulated contact iingers located between said pairs of contact spring members for separating said normally biased together contacts when said shaft is in said second extreme position, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to said first extreme position, said body means being cylindrical in shape with said contact spring members located adjacent the periphery of an insulated portion of said cylindrical body and retained within said insulated portion by an insulated retaining ring.

9. A miniature circuit controller comprising a body means provided with a plurality of spring contact members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions within said body, said shaft being provided with lingers located between adjacent contact spring members for controlling the circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said body means for biasing said shaft to the other of its said two extreme positions, said body means being provided with an insulating cylindrical support member for securing said spring contact members in position, said cylindrical support member having radial slots positioned adjacent the periphery of said cylindrical support member, said spring contact members being secured within said slots by an insulated retaining band and in a position for cooperation with said fingers, said insulating cylindrical support member being removably secured within said body means by removable retaining springs.

10. A miniature circuit controller comprising a cylindrical body means provided with a plurality of spring contact members supported therein, an operating shaft reciprocally movable between two extreme positions within said cylindrical body means, said operating shaft being provided with fingers located between adjacent contact spring members for controlling a circuit between said adjacent contact spring members when said shaft is in one of its two extreme positions, spring means located between said shaft and said cylindrical body means for biasing said shaft to the other of its said two extreme positions, said contact spring members being arranged in spaced slots adjacent the periphery of an insulated portion of said cylindrical body means, said contact spring members having means adjacent said insulated portion of said cylindrical body means to prevent longitudinal movement of said contact spring members in said slots, said contact spring members being retained in said insulated portion by an insulated band..

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 559,792 Dean May 12, 1896 1,362,661 Zimmerman Dec. 21, 1920 1,521,591 Beck n- Ian. 6, 1925 1,547,745 Goodrich July 28, 1925 1,752,213 Treanor Mar. 25, 1930 2,020,402 Edwards et al. Nov. 12, 1935 2,069,171 Merkel Jan. 26, 1937 2,286,077 Farmer June 9, 1942 2,332,554 Bolley Oct. 26, 1943 2,382,970 Borcherdt Aug. 21, 1945 2,503,569 Verkuil Apr. 11, 1950 

